One-step construction of ZnS/C and CdS/C one-dimensional core–shell nanostructures

Abstract

ZnS/C and CdS/C coaxial core–shell nanowires, which consist of single-crystal semiconductor nanowires encapsulated by carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have been synthesized by simple one-step thermal processes. These coaxial core–shell nanowires have uniform outer diameters (80–180 nm for ZnS/C, 60–130 nm for CdS/C), and uniform shell thicknesses (ca. tens of nanometers) along their entire lengths up to tens of microns. The growth of the core–shell nanowires follows a novel metal reaction and self-catalysis vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism. The simple method could, in principle, be extended to synthesize other metal sulfide single-crystal nanowire-filled carbon nanotubes, which can find potential applications in various fields of nanotechnology.